How can a colonial building express monumentality? A study of the Philipsburg courthouse

How can a colonial building express monumentality? A study of the Philipsburg courthouse

Jankee, Genora (TU Delft Architecture and the Built Environment; TU Delft History, Form & Aesthetics)

Zhu, K. (mentor)

Delft University of Technology

Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences

AR2A011

2024-04-18

Looking at history through the lens of architecture can tell a lot about the lifestyles, technologies, and ideologies of the past. Looking at the past can create a clear connection to the present. It is for this reason, the researcher, will write about the origins of the courthouse of Sint Maarten, the first government building built on the island in the 1700s (Lesterhuis & Oers, 2001). The overall focus of this paper is concentrating on how a building can grow to express monumentality. This paper will discuss the colonial presence of the island and the resulting influence on the island’s architecture. The researcher tries to uncover the intricate connections between traditional European architectural styles of the past and their manifestation in Dutch colonial architecture within the West Indies (Van Andel, 1985). The dynamic between the courthouse and its immediate surroundings was analysed to offer a better understanding of the symbiotic relationship between architecture, societal evolution, and urban development (Hartog, 1974). It is believed that the Philipsburg courthouse, expresses monumentality. By exploring its influence on society and its surroundings, a deeper understanding of monumentality will unfold, explaining ways in which monuments contribute to the shaping of collective identity and historical continuity. Investigating the influence of the Philipsburg courthouse has the potential to increase the understanding of how it functions as a social space, as well as offer insights into how architectural elements contribute to monumentality and how this influences local perspectives. It can inform decisions related to the design of public spaces, and the integration of cultural landmarks into urban landscapes. Overall, it contributes to a better appreciation of the role monuments play in shaping the fabric of society.

Philipsburg Courthouse
Sint Maarten
Monument
West Indian architecture
Dutch colonial architecture

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© 2024 Genora Jankee